All which could be seen was white, all that could be heard was roaring and all that could be felt was burning. And then, as quickly as it came, it was all gone. There was nothing that could be seen but darkness, nothing that could be heard save for deafening silence and all that could be felt was an indefinable nothingness. Suddenly from the void a familiar voice echoed, "Where are you?"

...

...

"Did we sacrifice ourselves for nothing?"

...

...

The battle cries, signals of every kind, blood, sweat, tears and suffering were things that defined them. But one thing that defined the slave knights more than anything else was death. Each one doomed to die as fodder, food for the gullet of war until they hollowed and were finally free. It was their fate, their destiny.

Memories flashed within Gael's sight. Some were of the homes they were forced to burn, others castles and cities they laid siege upon. In each one, every slave knight died on the frontlines in horrific ways, Gael included. From severed in two to being burned and skinned alive, or the worst being slowly tortured before death by the enemy. The old slave could feel the pain in his memories still.

He watched as his past self executed or assisted in enslaving the innocent at the command of his masters. He watched as he fought against his fellow brethren who rebelled. He watched so much of his life as a slave pass him by. All those memories kept looping, again and again, faster and faster like a speeding wheel. Then suddenly the memories stopped running, and Gael opened his eyes to another memory.

Gael found himself within a crumbling home, the sound of battle and slaughter beyond in the snowing outdoors. They had failed in an attempt to reclaim his lady from her prison in the church. Before Gael, leaning against the stone brick wall, sat another slave knight. His armor is just like Gael's but his body is far thinner and frail, his breathing rapid, "Tell me Gael, have we been sacrificing ourselves for nothing?"

Nothing was said for a moment as Gael's past self mustered the strength to look at his comrade, "I- No, I don't think so. We are close to finding a better life. And I have faith we might be cured, I am sure. After all, one of us undead did discover a cure-" Gael was interrupted by the wheezing undead.

"That's a fairy tale Gael. We would have all been cured by now if it was true."

The sound of footsteps against the snow became audible and grew louder. Gael turned and hurriedly closed the door as best he could, hoping that any of Frieda's allies wouldn't find them. Gael could faintly see the shadow of the looming, crooked, and inhuman hunched figure. It stood there for a moment then moved on. After a moment of waiting Gael responded, "Yes, but even still, I am certain that through our lady's painting we can be free of this world. We can have a place where we truly belong, one that will never fade unlike this painting. We just need to hold on a little long-"

Again, Gael was interrupted by the slave knight, "You always say that. I even believed it for a time. But now, I realize something. We will never get what we want, Gael, we are doomed for failure myself included. And no matter what we do, we are always someone's slave, someone's puppet, the only difference is who is pulling the strings."

"But we are so close we just-"

"There is no point in going on anymore Gael!" The sound of slaughtering suddenly ceased before the sound of tiny wings became apparent. Then blood dripped down to the ground. Neither of the slave knight's need to look up to know what was above, "I wanted to die human for so long... But it looks like I am going to hollow," The slave knight looked up and stared back at the multitude of black flies, a pitiful grin spreading across his face as he stared back at their blood thirsty crimson eyes and blood drooling faces, "Heh, I have nothing left and it looks like I can't even die with honor, seeing as I failed to keep that priest alive. Not that we had any to begin with."

The flies began skittering down erratically and the other slave knight turned to look at Gael, "Go Gael. I'll pray to whatever god might actually care for us that you find what you seek," Gael hesitated for a moment, "GO!"

Gael jolted towards the door, knowing he wasn't strong enough to deal with the flies, and closed it behind himself. Right as the door closed, he cringed as he heard the screams of his companion before it was nothing but fleshy meaty sounds of consumption. Gael slowly slid down to the ground and sat still. He had failed to save even one of his fellow slave knights, and he was now the last of the Slave Knights.

Then everything went dark.

...

...

"Please... show yourself spirit, show me you are real... Show me that we didn't sacrifice ourselves for something that wasn't real. Reveal yourself, Spirit of Death and let me die," echoed the familiar voice.

...

...

Gael's eyes shot open, life returning to his body as his curse restored his vitals. Gael could feel a crushing weight on his back and could hear the sound of rumbling thunder, though, Gael could only see nothing but darkness. Slowly rising upward and pushing against the weight on his back, Geal could see light as heaps of stone and earth fell off his back.

For a moment, Gael mistook the ashen waste before him as the World's end. The sky was a deep brown with dark clouds that rumbled with warning of what had happened. Dust and other debris drifted lifelessly through uncomfortable warm and powerful winds. Plants and bodies were either nothing but dust or charred black husks. There was not even a single crow, vulture, or maggot to claim the remains. The land was without question, dead.

As far the eye could see, any known form of civilization that was visible from where the giant stood was gone. The looming mountain of the Kurogane capital with a city of rubble beneath was all that seemingly remained.

"I can breathe!" Gasped Petre as climbed out of the small crater where Gael was before coughing a fit, "Gael, what was that all...about...," the man paused as he then saw what Gael saw, stupefied, "Wow... Looks like I owe you one, again. Are you alright Gael?"

Gael turned to look at Petre who was picking up the two crates. That voice, it was just like that man from before, the one who had prayed for him to wait. Was he still alive? If so, Gael knew him, and they had to move. He had to find him, "I am fine, but we should move quickly."

"Good, because gods, I already don't feel too well out here. Something's wrong with the very air of this place," Petre could see Gael give a look of concern, "I'll be fine, my blessing can handle it. Let's just get this done as fast as possible."

Walking over to him, Gael placed his giant hand on Petre's shoulder as he concentrated as to where to teleport to. The clouds surrounding the mountain were too heavy and thick for Gael to peer through and neither could he see any sort of set of stairs or anything on the mountain to climb. His only option was to teleport to the crumbled city below at the mountain's base.

When the two formed in the city, they found themselves surrounded by the remains of a battlefield. No, it was not right to call it a battlefield. More so it was a graveyard, with the numerous weapons as tombstones and the crumbled buildings as monuments to the fallen who had died.

"I don't know if I'll ever get used to that, and man I feel worse just being closer to this mountain," Groaned Petre. Gael looked about around him for any way up the mountain and saw a body leaning against a destroyed tower that Gael found interesting. He walked over to get a closer look.

The body was mostly nothing but chunks of burnt meat with bone protruding from wounds Gael knew not the source of. But, compared to every other body, this corpse was larger than any other body he could see. And even in this decrepit state, Gael noticed that what was left of its hands were still holding tight to a damaged great bow, a type of weapon he hadn't since the age of Fire. However, there were two things that caught Gael's interest the most. First, it wore a mask which looked uncannily like himself, straight down to wrinkles and what was left of the beard. Second, was the giant hole within the corpse's body. It felt as though Gael was staring at his reflection. How did these people know of him?

"Is that-," Petre walked over to Gael but did not finish his sentence as he merely stared at the body, "I never cared much about the people of Zipangu in general, let alone the Kurogane clan save for being afraid for them. But this... I can't help but to feel sorry for them all. To die like this..."

Gael looked around the steaming heap of death around them, "I would say this is the price of war, and indeed it is. However, to wipe this land clean of life can only mean one thing to me. This is also the price of revenge," the slave knight spotted far above, almost completely hidden by smoke and ruins, a set of stairs, "Come we need to get moving."

Petre kept staring at the body, his eyes blank as if lost in thought. "Are you alright, Petre?"

Startled, Petre turned to Gael, "Yeah, I'm fine. It's just whatever is in the air that is making me feel like trash right now. That's all, so let's go."

With another glow of light, the two formed at the highest point Gael could see. They then began heading their way up the stairs, teleporting when Gael had enough of a visual free from the smoke and clouds, passing by numerous corpses along the way.

When Petre and Gael arrived at the top of the stairs, they saw what looked to be a crumbled palace. A palace that was once elegant and beautiful with the history and stories of generations etched on walls that were now intangible. In front of the ruin sat a figure whose head laid low; the figure's long messy hair hiding his face.

The man wore what seemed to be the remains of fragmented armor and torn clothing that barely hid the body from the elements. It was as though the man was wearing sackcloth and ash upon his body. From what could be seen past the clothing were countless scars, many looking new or old, that covered every inch of skin. Parts of the man's scalp were missing, leaving exposed insides to the wind. He was also missing a left arm and had a sheathed katana at his side. It was like staring at a corpse.

The corpse then spoke in Gael's own natural tongue which surprised the slave Knight, "Thank you, for answering my prayer, spirit of death."

Petre gave a look of confusion, "Uh Gael, what is he saying? Because that does not sound like any Kurogane I have ever heard before."

"He is... He is speaking my native tongue," muttered Gael.

There was a moment of silence as Gael stared at the figure, and so too did Petre, unsure of what to say or do. The man continued, "I know I have already asked you too much. But I wish to make one last request. Let me, Kurogane Kōro, die fighting... Let me die with honor."

Gael to a step forward, speaking in his old tongue as he did so, His tongue felt odd yet familiar as he did so, "There is no reason to fight. There has been enough death already. The fight is over-"

Kōro suddenly unsheathed his katana in a flash, the dark blade's splendor shining in the sun's light. Gael could tell for certain, even though he was never a smith, that that blade was made from titanite, "If I did that, If I gave up my oath now, it would be a slap to the face of everyone who died defending this mountain. I would be betraying my people, my men, my family, my ancestors... and the Voice," Kōro stood up, the scars around his face and neck becoming visible. Gael could see Kōro's eyes were full of conviction, "I cannot do that, I cannot allow that! For I am sworn to prevent all from entering this mountain, even you."

"There is more to life than honor," Responded Gael as he stepped closer, his hand hovering over the handle of his great sword.

Gael noticed three perfectly circular scars around Kōro's body which glowed with an ever so faint energy. They looked like- no, that cannot be. Was this Kōro undead or at least, human like him? Did this Kōro have three dark sigils etched upon his body? Did he realize what he had done to himself? If he was undead, it would explain how he survived the blast. Even though Gael now noticed Kōro's wounds healing, it could still be the case. In fact, staring and concentrating on this Kōro, Gael could sense an ever so faint essence of humanity within him.

Kōro stood unwavering, "I will not betray my people"

"You can walk away and start a new life, there is no need...," Gael stopped. He could see it in Kōro's eyes, he would not back down, "Will anything I say change your mind?"

"No."

You do not have to be a slave to it," Gael took another step forward.

The wind flew gently past them, Gael's cloak and pieces of Kōro's clothing flapped silently in the air. What Kōro said next, pierced Gael's heart, "It is all I have left."

Gael couldn't help but be reminded of his past slave knights when he heard that. Everyone one of them that pushed on all said the same as to why they kept going. They had nothing else.

Gael had failed each and every one of the slave knights in saving them, he even failed in fulfilling their deepest wishes before hollowing. He did not know this man, but he would grant their last wish. At least he might make up for some of his past failures. Besides, Gael doubted if he could change this man's mind. Slowly Gael unsheathed his great sword and stood in a battle stance as well, "I understand."

Petre stepped back, not wanting to be in the possible danger zone, "Gael, I don't know for certain what you are about to do, but are you sure this is a good idea?"

The world went quiet, the two strangers stared at each other in the desolate land, the blood red sun watching, and the hot wind blew, carrying the dust of the fallen. There were no other options, no choice left to be made here. Gael simply responded with, "Yes."

Petre stepped back and searched for cover.

Kōro stepped forward, the conviction in his eyes unwavering as each step was made with purpose. Gael walked forward as he shifted his grip and positioning, preparing for whatever would come. The two started to encircle one another, eyeing each other for an opportunity of attack, a flaw, a guard let down, a moment of weakness.

It was Kōro who made the first move, dashing forward with a slash towards a gap in the side of Gael's breastplate. Already ready for an attack, Gael deflected the blow with his great sword. The two then continued to encircle each other for a moment. Then Gael made his attempt with a swing towards the legs. But, the man predicted the attack and parried perfectly. The parry would have thrown Gael off balance but not this time as Gael quickly recovered his footing and swiftly responded with a forward thrust, but Kōro bent backwards; barely avoiding the blade as it almost scraped his nose.

The fight went on like this in its pattern of encircling and attacking. In this way the clash was methodical, like a dance that was calm with bursts of energy with sparks flying and metal singing. But, neither one had yet to land a meaningful blow; the man always dodging, blocking, or parrying and Gael the same.

Gael realized he was getting nowhere and had to change strategies. Gael began to do faint attacks, attempting to trick and or overwhelm his foe. Through this slight change in strategy, Gael landed a small cut on Kōro's side, blood had finally been drawn. This would have ended the duel, if it were not for the fact this was a duel to the death.

This new strategy didn't last long however, as Kōro was quick to adapt and learn as he grew less defensive and more offensive. Right when Gael did another faint, instead of guarding for an attack that would never come, Kōro instead attacked head on, interrupting Gael with a large and profusely bleeding cut on Gael's neck, bone open to the elements.

Realizing what his foe was trying to do, Gael leapt back and immediately forced himself to fire six corona discs all at once in lines of three. Kōro seemed surprised at first but was quick to act as he rolled out of the way. However, unlike other foes who saw this as an opportunity, Kōro did not charge at Gael. Instead, they kept their guard up and realized the discs were coming back. Kōro leapt backwards high into the air, avoiding the discs as they flew back to Gael.

However, as Kōro started to descend, glowing white runes formed beneath him. From those runes Gael quickly deformed to reform there and immediately lunged his blade upward towards the man upon forming. However, Kōro in mid fall parried the blow and with a twirl landed on the blade, rushed towards Gael and sliced his neck before leaping off as Gael pulled out his crossbow and fired. There was only half of the flesh around Gael's neck remaining.

Gael could not let this continue on, he had to end this, he had to fight rougher than usual. Gael swung his blade. Then right when Kōro rolled out of the way, Gael flew into the air as he seemingly glided across the wind before coming down like a meteor with a downward strike.

The man dodged the strike, but Gael pressed the attack as he swung again and again in a wild frenzy, each strike faster than the last. It was as though Gael was a tornado. All the while Gael fought against the pain as he deformed reformed around Kōro who managed to dodge or block some of the attacks, but the attacks were far too many as chunks of his thighs and chest were severed clean off.

Gael noticed the new wounds were starting to heal already before his eyes, veins, skin, and meat all reforming. Leaping into the air, Gael readied himself to finish the man with another downward strike.

However, the man remained calm, seemingly unaffected by his wounds as he took a deep breath and sheathed his katana. Then as Gael came crashing down, the man stepped back and avoided the blow. Gael then leapt into the air in short leaps as he kept lunging at Kōro to try and finish him off.

Countless cracks and craters formed on the ground behind Gael as he tore his way towards his foe, eventually cornering him onto the edge of the mountain. Kōro's hand started to hover over the handle of his blade as if anticipating something. Then, at the last moment with no room to maneuver out of the way as Gael's greatsword rushed towards him, the man both simultaneously parried Gael and slashed at his neck with the power of the sun in a flash of light.

Gael stumbled, his head dangling from his body as it was not attached to his neck by nothing but a thread of skin. He could feel his life fade from his body as he fell backwards, his vision going dark. He had failed.

He had failed them, just like he failed the slave knights. They went hollow because he didn't try hard enough. He had lost and failed so many because he didn't try hard enough.

...

...

No... No, not this time.

...

Mid fall, the cloak around Gael began to glow a familiar red aura.

...

He would win, he would not fail this time!

...

...

Gael's body suddenly made a sharp hard step on the ground and forced itself to stand. Skin, Bone, veins, meat, and sinew all started to regrow and reattach themselves as Gael stood up straight; the red aura of energy glowing now around Gael's blade. The sky grew dark, thunder crackled, and the winds grew fierce.

In this moment, though he was unaware of what he was doing, Gael through pure will and determination to win the fight had gained control over a piece of the dark. Not with the help of others, but through his own will power.

Gael roared and leapt forward moving faster than ever, his voice like that of countless souls screaming as it echoed through the darkened sky. Before he even got to Kōro, he pulled out his crossbow, leapt into the air, and unloaded a round of bolts as he flew down with a strike towards Kōro.

Though Kōro dodged the blow, the blade when it struck the ground boomed like the sound of a cannon as it left a crack that spread across the entire mountain. Kōro attempted to counterattack right after Gael missed, however Gael was faster and reformed at Kōro's side and swung at him before reforming somewhere else to attack again.

Kōro kept dodging the blows, each and every one, but Gael could tell Kōro was starting to get tired. Gael began firing corona discs while attacking as he seemingly glided across the floor in speed. It was a rain of attacks and projectiles that Kōro eventually could only avoid by leaping into the air; avoiding a strike that grazed his hair.

Gael once again reformed beneath Kōro to lunge his blade upward at Kōro. Unlike before, Gael was too fast for Kōro as he also leapt into the air to pursue him, impaling Kōro in the process by the tip of his blade.

The battle seemed to have been over as Kōro could not move and would eventually bleed out. The man even dropped his katana, however that was not a sign of defeat as he raised his now free hand, "My oath," Muttered the man, a small tornado of wind forming around his open palm, "My Oath... is STILL NOT COMPLETE!" Then suddenly thrusting his palm forward Kōro sent forth a blast of force so strong that it sent Gael back by twenty feet as he instinctively held tight to his blade. Using the momentum of Gael being pushed back, Kōro ripped himself off the blade and grabbed his katana; his insides visible from both the front and back as they barely stayed inside, even as he used the surrounding mana to heal himself.

As Gael regained his footing, Kōro, after coughing up a pool of blood, spoke, "I usually only used my people's magic technique for healing and spells to improve my physical prowess. I have never used so many offensive spells until now, but this is my last fight," Kōro got back into a fighting stance, "So I might as well try some things out."

Kōro slammed the ground with his foot. Streams of dark flames suddenly formed around him and seemingly slithered towards Gael like black serpents. All the while, with the mountain itself shaking, pillars of dark flames rose from the earth and managed to singe Gael as he avoided the serpents.

As Gael focused on avoiding the attacks of energy, Kōro took a breath and prepared to lunge forward as dark energy surrounded him. Then, in the twinkling of an eye, Kōro appeared right in front of Gael and pierced straight into the hole within the center of Gael's chest and sent a burst of burning energy into it, almost tearing deep enough to cause the hole to be visible on the other end.

Gael grunted in pain as the red energy around him began to blaze brighter than lightning. Without even thinking about what he was doing, Gael used his cloak as a pair of extra arms and slashed at Kōro with them. But Kōro dashed backwards to avoid the blow. Then concentrating on his blade, Kōro formed a dark fire around his katana, sending a wave of white energy towards Gael with a slash.

Using his sword and cloak like a shield, Gael blocked the wave of energy before firing with a new round of bolts at Kōro. As expected, Kōro deflected each bolt with ease, but Gael was not trying to hit Kōro with those as he reformed behind Kōro and fired a line of corona discs. Once more Kōro leapt into the air to avoid the strike.

However, as Gael swung at Kōro, Kōro took a deep breath. Gael's attack was reflected in a flash of light so hard that Gael was sent sliding backwards. Kōro then rushed towards Gael, slashing in a wild frenzy yet simultaneously with perfect control. He swung so fast and hard, that the force of his attacks kept him off the ground. It was like Kōro was made of water, and he was dancing in the wind with a torrent of slashes. Gael was forced to be on the defensive, using his sword and cloak to fight back with his own flurry of blows.

From afar, peeking out of cover from the stairs, Petre could no longer see the two. He only saw two storms clashing. One of a red fierce flame and one of Dark focused fire. Back and forth the two went almost as though they were taking turns in overwhelming each other. Cuts and wounds formed on both sides, but neither one was willing to give up.

A crack formed on Kōro's blade, Gael's as well. The tide of the battle then at last changed. Kōro's katana shattered in half; leaving him open as Gael sliced at the large hole in Kōro's torso. Kōro was sent skidding across the earth from the force of blow as his blood smeared across the ground.

When Kōro stopped, he was already in a puddle of his own blood as he laid there. Gael wanted to believe it was over, but his gut told him otherwise. With a grunt that turned to a roar which reminded Gael of a wounded and defiant ancient dragon, Kōro forced himself to rise, still holding tight to the broken katana of his ancestors; Gael could feel the energy in the air flowing into Kōro to keep him alive.

This man, his will to keep going in such unwinnable odds. It was as though this man had the soul of the champion just like... the Ashen one.

With a slight fumble, Kōro rushed towards Gael as they continued their dance of death, but all the fiercer. The dark flames around Kōro's katana grew bigger and bigger with each swing he made in increasing speed. Cracks started to form around Gael's sword from the attacks and Gael was getting wounded more often than Kōro.

His off hand was severed, his face and chest torn, and his right foot chopped off, forcing Gael to stand atop the bleeding stub of a leg as they clashed. As for Kōro, though he was getting wounded more, the cave in his chest had healed itself and his off arm had now almost fully returned.

Slowly, Gael was pushed back to the edge of the mountain by Kōro's onslaught. If he fell here, it would mean trouble for him. He had to turn the tables or this fight would continue for an even longer time.

Fighting against the wounds, Gael ignored Kōro's attacks and forced himself to push forward. Inch by inch with blood coating the stone floor everywhere, Gael forced Kōro to the opposite end of the mountain.

Seeing that he was losing ground, Kōro sheathed his katana and concentrated energy on his palm. Then, just like when he was impaled, Kōro sent forth another burst of energy that sent Gael backwards. Though this time Gael was expecting it and managed to keep himself from going as far back by changing his footing and entrenching his blade into the ground.

Kōro then began concentrating all his energy into his blade as the very hilt started to glow with power. Gael roared as he leaped forward towards Kōro who dashed towards him. The words of Kōro's grandfather began to echo in his mind, "One! The Path to vanity shall lead to vanity! Such is the price of pride and lies!"

The two blades clashed with sparks, then, before the now exhausted Kōro could react, Gael knocked aside Kōro's blade with his own and rammed the flat end against Kōro's chest. Kōro was sent rushing back to crash on the ground with a sickening crack.

Slowly Kōro rose again, leaning onto the sheath of his katana for support; his back burning as though millions of knives were stabbing into his spine. Gael did not move but waited, he waited for Kōro to yield, to quit. But Kōro did not as he got back into a fighting stance.

Kōro then lunged towards Gael with a resilient battle cry. But Gael blocked the fragmented blade. Yet, somehow, Kōro mustered the strength to push Gael's own weapon against his chest, even with both Gael's hands on the great sword. "Two! The path to ascension shall lead to descension! Such is the price of fear and desire!" echoed Kōro's grandfather in his mind again.

Suddenly Gael raised his great sword, causing Kōro's blade to naturally slide downward to the ground. Then with a mighty swing, Gael stepped behind Kōro and slashed at his back, almost severing Kōro in half from the blow as he fell to the earth.

Kōro laid on the ground silently, his eyes closed, his body like a desecrated corpse with a broken spine open to the wind. Then with a sharp and deep breath, Kōro's eyes shot open, and he struggled and rose once more; the mana around him stitching his wounds as best it could.

Faster than rain droplets falling, Kōro turned and lunged again at Gael with a thrust. But Gael was ready, seemingly reading Kōro like an open book now as Gael blocked the blade with the nub of his left hand. The blade sunk through the bone and flesh, but Gael paid no mind as he stabbed Kōro in the chest with his great sword before throwing him off to the edge of the mountain. "Three! The path of replication shall lead to mutation! Such is the price of growing without understanding!"

Blood poured from Kōro's mouth as he coughed, fighting to control his breathing. The lord stared down below at the fallen city, at what remained of his people, his family. He remembered their sacrifices. Again, Kōro forced himself to rise up. He could not stop now; he could still fight. Until his lungs stopped working, he would keep fighting.

The Korugane lord turned and charged towards Gael, but Kōro's movements were so slow now that Gael merely stepped aside and slashed at Kōro's back, reopening the horrid wound the surrounding mana had healed. "Four. The path of laziness shall lead to weakness. Such is the price of cosseting while slumbering."

Kōro's grip tightened around his blade once more as he rose again,"With this mark you shall not find peace or refuge." Gael silently watched, for he had never seen someone refuse to yield like this. Kōro stood and calmed himself. Taking a long deep breath before opening his eyes; his vision clear and focused, ready to clash again, but now showing no signs of his exhaustion or injuries, "With this mark you take the path of pain, the path of virtue, and of strong will."

The two fractured metals rang again as they continued their dance of strife. Back and forth; Gael gaining more wounds and yet Kōro remaining untouched. Then countering a strike from Kōro, Gael forced Kōro's blade aside with his own and charged with a horizontal swing. Though Kōro tried to dash backwards, the blade hit its mark, almost slicing off all the skin of Kōro's body in two.

Kōro then lost his balance, forced to lean onto one knee. Both stared at each other silently and both knew what would happen next. It would end in one final blow. One more clash and the fight would be over. Man's will against the inevitable end. A flickering flame against an unending darkness.

The world around them went hushed. The wind, blowing past the two, still carrying the debris of death all around them.

Life, ash to the wind

Gael stood straight up and held his great sword sideways before flinging off the blood from it. He did not make the move but would do what he had to. Perhaps in another life, they would not have been foes. But here, Gael had no choice unless this man backed down.

death unwanted, yet fated

Kōro looked down at the empty sheathe of his katana. He would not need it anymore. With his broken katana, Kōro cut the straps of the sheathe, causing it to fall to the ground with a quiet thud. Kōro unintentionally gave a small bloody smirk. With him, the blood line will end. Even if it is fate, he will go down fighting. He will do this for Tokuri, Masumi, his grandfather, and all who died defending this land. He would fight… To the bitter end!

Mountain's final stand

Kōro lunged towards Gael with another defiant roar, and Gael followed suit towards Kōro.

Both strikes hit their mark.

...

...

Gael's body fixed itself as he was revived, the pieces of his severed body dissipating to ash before re-growing onto his body; Kōro's shattered blade stuck in his heart. Kōro himself sat there motionless across the battlefield in a lake of blood, his upper body severed from his abdomen. In agonizing pain, Kōro crawled towards the shattered upper half of his katana and grabbed it. What little blood Kōro had left slowly dripped out as he held it tightly in his hand. He... he could still... Fight... his oath was not yet... complete.

Suddenly Kōro heard a voice he didn't think he would ever hear again, "Kōro, what are you doing?"

Kōro slowly looked up and saw Tokuri standing there. He wasn't wearing any armor but was instead dressed in a kimono, his scarred and hairy face full of concern. Behind Tokuri the palace looked as though it was never ruined in the first place. "I must uphold my oath. It is not complete yet," were the words Kōro tried to gurgle out.

Tokuri walked closer, his eyes full of compassion as he put a hand on Kōro's shoulder, "Kōro, you've worked so hard. You've done plenty already. And now it is time," A tear dropped from Kōro's eyes as he looked down, "You deserve a rest Kōro, more than anyone I know."

Kōro tried to open his mouth to interject. However, Tokuri interrupted him, "Haven't you noticed? Your lungs aren't even working anymore. You have held to your last breath. You have upheld your oath."

Kōro said nothing. He looked down to see his brother was right, his lungs had been cut in half. He could already feel his control over the surrounding mana slipping with his catalyst gone. Tokuri continued, "Please brother, everyone one is waiting inside," Tokuri then motioned towards the palace and Kōro looked and, though he could only see the outline of people through the doors, he could hear laughter, "Even Masume is waiting for you. She is so beautiful and she even is wearing the dress you liked seeing her in so much. Who knows, I might even do some archery related competitions, just like old times."

More tears began to flow from Kōro's eyes, "Please Kōro, the men are waiting, same for the woman, and the little ones. Your people are waiting for you. Everyone wishes to see you. This age is ending, and our time has passed. Please, just this once, let go of the sword and rest."

Kōro took one last deep breath, his tears now dried up. It was over. He was free now. It would be nice to see everyone again and smoke from his kiseru one last time. Slowly Kōro turned and made a silent prayer that only Gael could hear, "Thank you spirit," He released his grip on the fractured blade. Kōro then slumped as his soul drifted out from him and into Gae, "Thank...you..."

The fire in Kōro's eyes was gone. The Kurogane clan was no more. Zipangu was now empty of all mortal life.


In the dark depths of the mountain, in it deepest recess, a frail humanoid laid in the fetal on the smooth stone ground as it spoke in hushed gasping breaths, "Name... Name.. Where did you go? Name name name, I need to remember her name-" The figure stopped then suddenly started to quake and shake, "I can feel it... The Dark..."

"It is here, and it is coming for me."


(A/N)

Watch as someone says this was out of nowhere, even though I pointed to this being what would happen if the two met in this situation. Hopefully I will finally finish the Zipangu arc in 1 or 2 more chapters.

Anyway, had a lot of fun writing this chapter. Which I haven't had fun doing so in a long time.